Whistleblower Policy

1. Policy

The Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund requires board members, committee members and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities, and all directors, committee members and employees to comply with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

2. Reporting Responsibility

LELDF seeks to have an “Open Door Policy” and encourages board members and employees to share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints regarding the LELDF and its operations with someone who can address them properly. In most cases, a board member or committee member should present his or her concerns to the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman is generally in the best position to address an employee’s area of concern. However, if a board member is not comfortable speaking with the Board Chairman or is not comfortable with the Board Chairman’s response, or if an employee is not comfortable speaking with the President or if the employee is not satisfied with the President’s response, the board member, committee member or employee is encouraged to speak with anyone on the Board whom the employee is comfortable in approaching, or to directly contact the LELDF’s outside legal counsel, whose contact information can be obtained from the President.

3. No Retaliation

No board member, committee member or employee who in good faith reports a violation of a law or regulation requirement shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable persons to raise serious concerns within LELDF prior to seeking resolution outside LELDF.

4. Compliance Officer

LELDF’s President, working with the Chairman of the Board, will act as LELDF’s Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer is responsible for investigating and resoliving all employee complaints and allegations concerning violations of the Principles and/or Code. The Board Chairman or his or her designee will take on the Compliance Officer role if the complaint involves the President. If the complaint involves both the President and Board Chairman, outside legal counsel will carry out the functions of the Compliance Officer.

5. Accounting and Auditing Matters

The Finance Committee of the Board of Directors shall address all reported concerns or complaints regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls or auditing. The Compliance Officer shall immediately notify the Finance Committee of any such complain and work with the Committee until the matter is resolved.

7. Confidentiality

Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant or may be submitted anonymously. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.

Handling of Reported Violations

The Compliance Officer, or the person responsible for carrying out the Compliance Officer’s role with respect to a reported or suspected violation, will acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspended violation by writing a letter (or e-mail) to the complainant within five business days. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.